PLAID Cymru MS for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor, joined the Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales team at the Senedd to mark the charity’s annual coffee morning fundraising event today (September 30). 

The event was an opportunity to find out more about how Macmillan in Wales is supporting people living with cancer, as well as research from the charity on how those living with it are being affected by the cost-of-living crisis. 

This is the 32nd annual Macmillan coffee morning, but the charity has seen a huge fall in its fundraising income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. 

 Mr ap Gwynfor said: “We know that a cancer diagnosis can turn someone’s world upside down.

“One in two of us will face cancer, and the money raised by hosting a Macmillan coffee morning will help people with cancer to live their life as fully as they can.

“Macmillan, alongside our NHS and other partners, work tirelessly in communities the length and breadth of Wales to do whatever it takes for people with cancer.

“The demands for Macmillan’s services and support is high, while its income is down.

“This is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the work carried out locally in Dwyfor Meirionnydd to raise money for cancer charities.

“A number of people, many of them volunteers, give their time and money to support the fight against cancer by taking part in fundraising events.

“I know many of my constituents are already organising coffee mornings to raise vital funds for Macmillan, and I would encourage anyone to get involved and contribute to a local coffee morning in the way that suits them best.”

Head of services for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, Richard Pugh, added: “It is fantastic to be able to meet our Members of the Senedd face-to-face again at the Senedd.

“We would like to offer Mabon our heartfelt thanks for his support for our event.

“It is no exaggeration to say Macmillan and people with cancer have never needed the public’s help more than we do right now.

“Cancer affects people’s whole lives – health, money, family job; everything.

''More than 98 per cent of Macmillan’s funding comes directly from donations.

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“Thousands of people could miss out on vital care from our nurses, much needed financial support through Macmillan grants, or the ability to access trusted information and support in-person, online or at the end of the telephone without the public's continued support for our coffee morning fundraiser.

“There is no single or right way to hold a coffee morning – it can be whatever you make it, and it can be held when suits you best.

“We really hope people will pull out all the stops to do just that.”